Considering its mission to disseminate knowledge on the subject and its experience in creating and managing sub-networks of subnational governments, ICLEI South America launched its thematic sub-network on Local Protected Areas.

The announcement took place during the 2nd Meeting on Protected Areas and Sustainability, organized by the City Hall of São Leopoldo (RS), held on June 5th, World Environment Day. On the occasion, the executive secretary of ICLEI South America, Rodrigo Perpétuo, spoke about the initiative and highlighted its importance for the conservation and preservation of the environment.

“"ICLEI South America is very proud to put forward a sub-network so that municipalities can exchange experiences, have access to financing instruments, and collectively improve the management processes of their Conservation Units," he stated.

Conceived within the context of the regional project. Protected areas and other area-based conservation measures at the local government level., implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (CHALK) GmbH In partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the sub-network aims to continue the connections and learning generated during the four years of the project and go further, multiplying the learning in conservation and preservation of biodiversity.

The initiative is open to subnational governments engaged in and/or interested in biodiversity issues, focusing on local protected areas and other conservation measures. It also aims to provide its members with tools to improve the management of protected areas. Therefore, a series of activities will be offered in addition to connecting stakeholders, such as:

• Sharing best practices;
• Promoting webinars;
• Dissemination of knowledge regarding Cooperation and Acceleration methodologies for conservation units;
• Promotion of in-person and/or virtual training (e.g., ISE, SAMGe, CNUC);
• Dissemination of information and calls for proposals for opportunities offered by ICLEI or its partners;
• Support in creating a profile and using the platform. CitiesWithNature;
• Periodic newsletters with opportunities for engagement.

Who can participate?

The call for expressions of interest is open to all local governments in South America. Participation is contingent upon meeting certain requirements, which include: 

• Having experience in the area of local protected areas and/or a commitment to sharing experiences after receiving training on the subject;
• To have one or more locally protected areas registered in the National Registry or, if there is no registry in your country, to demonstrate their formalization;
• Commit to disseminating knowledge on the topics and reporting your actions on the platform of CitiesWithNature.

If your municipality meets these characteristics and is interested in joining the sub-network, register through this link. form. After profile analysis and verification of compliance with requirements, we will contact you. Initially, municipalities and states recognized for their advanced knowledge in protected areas in the four countries of the Local Protected Areas Project (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) will be invited to join the sub-network as pioneers.

If you have any questions, please contact us by email. [email protected]

Webinar on cooperation methodology

The Local Protected Areas thematic sub-network will have as one of its first activities a webinar to share the lessons learned from the Methodology for Cooperation between Local Governments. The virtual event is scheduled for August.